Jimmy Connors

Jimmy Connors was born September, 2nd 1952 in East St. Louis, IL with the birth name of James Scott Connors. Jimmy Connors is known as one of the elite players in the game of tennis. Jimmy started his career in 1970 when he played in his first international match and achieved victory in the Pacific Southwest Open. While Jimmy attended the University of California, he won the NCAA singles title. After his victory, Jimmy Connors turned professional in 1972.

Jimmy Connors was known to many as a maverick because he refused to join the Association of Tennis Professionals. In 1974 Jimmy filed multiple lawsuits against the ATP and president Arthur Ashe for limiting Jimmy’s freedom in the game of tennis. The lawsuit eventually amounted to 10 Million US dollars. For Jimmy, 1974 was a productive year when he defeated Phil Dent to win the Australian Open. Connors continued his win streak when he defeated Den Rosewall in both the Wimbledon and the US Open. Although coming close, Jimmy was never victorious in the French Open.

Jimmy Connors had continued success through the 1970s and was also known for pioneering the Wilson T200, a steel racket, when most played with wooden rackets. Jimmy later switched to the Wilson ProStaff because it was designed with him in mind, and then later once again switched back to the Wilson T200. Jimmy Connors eventually retired from his professional tennis career and began coaching Andy Roddick in 2006. Jimmy lives his personal life with long time wife Patti McGuire and two children in the Santa Barbara area.